When IV opioids are in short supply at the hospital, who gets pain relief? We need an ethical framework for distributing pain medication

https://www.statnews.com/2026/02/17/iv-opioid-shortages-ethics/ By Parker Crutchfield, Casey Chmura, and Abram BrummettFeb. 17, 2026 Crutchfield is a professor of medical ethics, humanities, and law at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. Chmura is a second-year resident in J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency Program. Brummett is an assistant professor of medical humanities and clinical bioethics at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.